Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Dec: Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal today directed the Forest Department to begin immediate preparations for the upcoming forest fire season and asked officials to draw up a firm, time-bound action plan to effectively curb incidents of human–wildlife conflict. Chairing a comprehensive review meeting at the State Forest Headquarters here today, the minister also instructed the officers to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for winter tourism and to ensure quality and timely completion of departmental works.
Uniyal stressed on the need for special vigilance in wildlife-sensitive and vulnerable areas and said incidents of conflict between humans and wild animals must be minimised through better coordination with local communities. He underlined the importance of transparency and accountability in works related to forest protection, conservation and development and made it clear that any laxity in execution would not be tolerated. The minister said continuous monitoring through camera surveillance must be ensured in sensitive zones and regular dialogue should be maintained with public representatives and villagers to address local concerns. The Minister directed that people be made aware of preventive measures through pamphlets, banners, hoardings and social media, and said modern equipment such as solar lights and cages must be used effectively to deter wild animals from entering inhabited areas. In the event of any incident of human–wildlife conflict, he instructed that the Sub Divisional Officer and Divisional Forest Officer concerned must reach the spot without delay.
The minister also asked the officials to submit at the earliest a detailed report on the schedule and approval process related to Haq-Hukook, or traditional forest rights, in the state. He called for a comprehensive action plan for the conservation and marketing of Keeda Jadi, commonly known as Cordyceps, and for steps to increase forestry-based production. He directed that the action plan under the Nursery Plantation Scheme be uploaded on the department’s website and emphasised the promotion of eco-tourism activities across suitable forest areas. Uniyal further instructed the officers to immediately restore the online facility for granting exemptions to tree species and to simplify and make more transparent the process of granting permissions for tree felling.
Reviewing the progress of the works approved under the Chief Minister’s announcements, the minister asked that all such projects be completed at the earliest. Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow pace of works being implemented under the CAMPA and JICA schemes, Uniyal said the government has made adequate budgetary provisions for the execution of forest department programmes. He directed the officials to ensure timely and effective utilisation of the sanctioned funds so that the impact of the schemes is clearly visible on the ground within the stipulated time frame. He said the objectives of forest protection, conservation and development can only be achieved through the judicious and proper use of financial resources and warned that negligence in the implementation of schemes would invite strict action.
Uniyal also directed the immediate implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure prepared by the Forest Department to promote winter tourism and asked officers to intensify winter tourism-related activities in forest areas.
Among those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, PCCF & HoFF Ranjan Mitra, PCCF BP Gupta, PCCF Kapil Lal, PCCF Subuddhi and other senior officers of the Forest Department and all Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) from various districts, who joined the review through virtual mode.
